Valve structure for musical wind instruments



P. s. PROLL 3,420,133

ALVE STRUCTURE FOR MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS Jan. 7, 1969 INVENTOR. 1 :01er Hall @[Mwu/ Filed July 12. 1965 United States Patent 3,420,133 VALVESTRUCTURE FOR MUSICAL WIND INSTRUMENTS Peter S. Proll, Newark, N.J.,assignor to Proll Products 'Co., Newark, N .J a corporation of NewJersey Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No. 471,016 US. Cl. 84388 11 ClaimsInt. Cl. Gd 7/10 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved valve structurefor musical wind instruments, especially suitable for toy instruments,having a chamber and a port communicating with the chamber, whichcomprises valve means mounted in operative relationship to the chamberand the port so as to be movable between port-open and port-closedpositions, a member for controlling the opening and closing of the portby the valve member, and a return spring means for normalizing theposition of the valve member after operation, the return spring meansbeing made integral with the valve means, for example, by molding thevalve means and return spring from plastic as a unitary structure.

This invention pertains to musical instruments, especially toyinstruments. More particularly, it relates to improvements in the valvestructure of instruments having manually controlled valves and returnsprings for restoring the valves to normal, unoperated, i.e.,undepressed, position after they have been operated by being depressed.The term valve is used herein in its ordinary sense in the musicalinstrument art to mean the movable member which is operated to determinethe note being played.

The present conventional valve and spring structure used in suchinstruments is relatively expensive to make, and time-consuming, andtherefore expensive, to assemble. Consider, for example, the usualtrumpet. It has a number of valve cylinders, in each of which isslidably received a plunger valve. A separate return coil spring is alsoprovided for each plunger. Usually, the return spring is disposedbetween the inner face of the plunger and some fixed stop against whichthe spring is compressed when the piston is moved inwardly. The plungerand the spring, being separate parts, are made individually, therebyincreasing manufacturing costs. Furthermore, it is quite diificult andtime-consuming to assemble the separate plunger and spring into theinstrument. In the assembled instrument, the coil springs must normallybe under some degree of compression to hold the plungers reasonablyfirmly biased to unoperated position. It will be seen therefore that theassembly operator is faced with the difiicult task of placing theseparate pieces in position to be assembled, and holding them so. Sincethe compressed coil spring is tending to return to its uncompressedstate, if the operator releases his grip on the spring, the parts flyapart. Various specially constructed jigs and fixtures can help somewhatin overcoming these assembly difficulties, but it nevertheless remains atime-consuming operation.

The present invention substantially eliminates the foregoing problems bymaking the valve plunger and its return spring one integral unit,preferably of molded plastic. Thus, the cost of making the parts issubstantially reduced. Further, the one-piece plunger and return springunit of the invention considerably simplifies assembly. The operatoronly has to manipulate a single part into the proper assembly positionand hold it there, as contrasted with the plural parts of each valve ofthe prior art.

As a further refinement of the invention, a number of the individualintegral plunger and spring units are formed connected together as asingle integral composite, which itself can be fabricated as a singlemolded plastic unit. This composite plural-unit structure is assembleddirectly into the instrument.

It is therefore a major object of the invention to provide a novelmusical instrument structure.

It is a further object to reduce the cost of fabricating a musicalinstrument, especially toy musical instruments.

It is a further object to provide a novel valve structure for a musicalinstrument.

It is a further object to provide a valve structure in which the valveplunger and its return spring are formed as one single integral unit.

It is a further object to provide as a single integral unit a pluralityof valves integrally connected together, which unit can be directlyassembled into the musical instrument.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description of embodiments of the invention, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of a toy trumpetin which the invention can be incorporated.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 2, but showing the valvedepressed to its maximum operated position.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a modified integral valve and return springof the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view in section of another modified form of theinvention in which a number of the integral valve and spring units areformed as an integral composite.

FIG. 6 is a detail side elevational view in section of the instrumentshowing assembled therein the integral plural valve composite of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing an integral valve and springunit with a modified form of spring.

FIG. 8 is a similar view, showing still another modified form of spring.

Still referring to the drawing, and particularly FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, thereference numeral 1 designates a musical instrument in which theinvention can be employed. A toy trumpet has been shown for illustrativepurposes. It will be understood, however, that the invention can readilybe employed in other types of instruments. In fact, it is not limited touse in musical instruments, since it can be applied to any type ofdevice having a plunger and return spring. However, the invention isparticularly useful for toys, since the reduced costs flowing from itsuse are most important with inexpensive instruments.

The body 2 of the toy instrument is made up of two separately formedcomplementary halves 2a and 2b. These can be fabricated of any desiredmaterial, for example, a molded synthetic resin, and are adhesivelysecured together to form the instrument body. The instrument includes amouthpiece 3 into which the player blows. Communicating with themouthpiece is a downwardly extending air passage 4 which leads to aknown type of integral plastic reed unit 5. Reed unit 5 comprises aseries of differently tuned reeds 6. When air is blown transversely,i.e., upwardly in FIGS. 1 and 2, past any one of the reeds 6, the lattersounds a particular note dependent on the predetermined physicalcharacteristics of the reed.

Each reed is disposed at the bottom of a related chamber 7 which opensinto a cylindrical valve chamber 10. Formed at the upper end of thevalve chamber is an inwardly extending annular rib 11 of substantiallytriangular cross-section. The lower, sloping inwardly facing surface 11aof rib 11 provides a valve seat.

Loosely disposed within each valve chamber 10 for longitudinal slidingmovement is the plunger or piston member 12a of a manually operablevalve 12, shortly to be described in detail. Plunger 12a includes asloping annular valve surface 1212 which is normally urged by the valvereturn coil spring 120 against the sloping or beveled downwardly facingseat surface of rib 11. Thus, the plunger normally seals off the openingdefined by the inner, circular edge of rib 11. This opening is the meanswhereby the valve cylinder chamber 10 communicates with an overlyingchamber 13 which terminates at its upper end in a frusto-conical cap 14having a central opening 14a.

The valve 12 includes an intermediate elongated stem 12d, which, ifdesired, terminates in a disc-like finger piece 12:: to be engaged bythe players finger. Post 12d passes loosely through opening 14a of cap14. An inwardly extending circular rib 10a supports the lower end ofcoil spring 120.

When it is desired to play the note adapted to be generated by any reed6, the related valve 12 is depressed whereby the plunger valve surface12b is lowered to open communication between chambers 10 and 13. Thus,air blown into the mouthpiece 3 travels through passage 4 to theunderside of reed unit 5 and then upwardly past the reed, therebysounding the reeds note, and through chamber into chamber 13. Fromchamber 13, the air travels out through the associated cap 14. It alsopasses to the adjacent chamber 13, each of the latter communicatinglaterally with the adjacent chamber 13. It will be understood that ifthe plunger is not depressed, air cannot travel from chamber 10 tochamber 13. Therefore, there will be no air flow past the reed, and thelatter will not sound.

The integral one-piece valve and return spring 12 of the invention willnow be described in greater detail. It includes aforementioned fingerpiece 12e, stem 12d, plunger 12a, and return spring 120. The latterterminates in upper and lower fiat coils 12f, 12g, respectively. Theplunger is a thin annular :hollow shell. It comprises a fr-ustoconicalupper portion whose sloping outer surface provides the operative valvesurface 121); and horizontally spaced, vertical legs which are separatedby ports 1211 and which are integral with the upper flat coil 12). Anintegral depending rod 121' forming an extension of stem 12d extendsfrom the center of hollow plunger 12a.

The entire aforedescribed valve 12, comprising the components 12a12iinclusive, is a single, one-piece article, for example, fabricated byplastic molding techniques from any suitable synthetic resin such aspolyethylene, polystyrene, etc. Thus, manufacturing cost is considerablyreduced over prior art methods wherein the parts are formed separately.

Additionally, the time required to assemble the instrument is lessenedsubstantially. As mentioned earlier, the body of the instrument is madeof two separate complementary halves 2a, 21;. Each body half has formedtherein its semi-circular half of rib 11 and of valve chamber 10including rib 10a. For assembly, the integral valve units 12 are merelyplaced in position in one of the body halves, the other body half thenappropriately ab-utted against the first half, and the two cementedtogether.

The depending rod 12i of each valve unit is adapted to abut a cooperableintegral inwardly extending pin 15 of each valve chamber 10 when thevalve is depressed, to prevent complete compression of coil spring 120.Such complete compression, with adjacent coils contacting each other,would block or impede air flow passing up through the center of spring12c to escape outwardly and then upwardly past valve seat 11a fromchamber 10 into chamber 13. Ports 1211 are needed for this purpose whenspring 120 is thick and its coils closely fit the interior of valvechamber 10, so that most of the air is forced to travel up through thecenter of the spring. The ports 1211, are of any suitable size, shape,and the number to pnoduce sound of desired volume and quality.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the lowermost flat coil 12g of thespring is split (see FIGS. 1 and 5) and of a larger diameter than thevalve chamber 10 so that the spring is firmly held in the valve chamber.

FIG. 4 shows a modified form of the invention in which the spring coilsare formed integrally with short longitudinally extending lugs 16adapted to abut the adjacent coil to prevent complete compression of thespring. This arrangement eliminates the need for the depending rod 121'and the pin 15 of FIGS. 13, which perform the same function.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another form of the invention, in which a number ofthe integral valve units 12 are formed as one integral composite 17integrally joined together at their lowermost, fiat coils 12g byconnector bars 17a. The integral plural-valve composite of FIG. 5 isformed as a single plastic molding from suitable material, such aspolyethylene, polystyrene, etc. In the form of FIG. 5, the valves 12 arespaced apart the same distance as the valve chambers 10. The entireplural-valve composite 17 of FIG. 5 is itself adapted to be assembled asa unit into the musical instrument. This further reduces assembly time,since the operator handles as one complete unit a number of valvesrather than just one valve.

In the form of FIGS. 5 and 6, the lowermost coil 12g need not be split.The cross bars 17a can be held clamped between opposed portions 18, 19provided in the instrument body, thereby holding the lower ends of therespective springs in place.

FIGS 7 and 8 respectively show additional forms of the invention, inwhich return springs other than coil springs can be used. In FIG. 7, thespring comprises outwardly curved spring arms 20. In FIG. 8, the spring21 has a fiat serpentine or S shape.

In both FIGS. 7 and 8, the entire valve shown is a single integral unit,including a lowermost fiat coil like coil 12g of the previous forms. Thevalves of FIGS. 7 and 8 can either be made individually, as in FIGS.1-4, or as an integral plural-valve composite unit like FIG. 5.

Although the integral one-piece valve has been disclosed as includingthe integral finger piece 12e, the latter can if desired be formedseparately. It could then be secured to the top of stem 12d after thevalve is assembled into this instrument. It will be recalled that thecooperating stem extension Hi and pin 15 of FIGS. l-3, and the lugs 16of FIG. 4, both limit the valves downward movement. This will alsoprevent the stem 12d from being pushed so far down that it does notproject above cap 14 when the finger piece is being secured to the stem.

For purposes of illustration, there have been shown and describedvarious specific examples and forms of the invention and its features.It will be understood, however, that the invention and its features canbe carried out and applied in numerous other specific embodiments.Different proportions, materials, sizes, shapes can be employed. Theinvention can be applied to other types of instruments and devices.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a musical mouth wind instrument having a chamber and aport communicating with said chamber; valve means adapted to be mountedin operative relationship with said chamber and said port to selectivelycontrol opening and closing of said port; said valve means including amember to control opening and closing of said port and further includingreturn spring means for normalizing said valve means after operationthereof, said return spring means being integral with said valve means.

2. Valve means according to claim 1, wherein said valve means has alongitudinal axis, and said member and said spring means are disposedadjacent each other along respective different portions of said axis.

3. Valve means according to claim 2, wherein said valve member is hollowand includes at least one lateral opening providing communicationbetween the interior and exterior thereof.

4. Valve means according to claim 2, wherein said spring meansterminates at its end remote from said valve member in a split ring.

5. Valve means according to claim 2, wherein said spring means comprisesa coil spring; and including means for preventing complete compressionof said coil spring.

6. Valve means according to claim 5, wherein said preventing meansincludes stop means integral with said valve means.

7. Valve means according to claim 6, wherein said stop means comprises astop member integral with said member.

8. Valve means according to claim 7, wherein said stop means comprisesprojections provided on the coils of said spring and respectivelyarranged to engage an adjacent coil.

9. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said musical instrumentis a trumpet.

10. For use in and assembly with a musical mouth Wind instrument havinga plurality of chambers, each having a port communicating therewith: alike plurality of valve means each adapted to be mounted in operativerelationship with said valve chamber and its port to selectively controlopening and closing of said port; each of said valve means including amember to control opening and closing of said port and further includingreturn spring means for normalizing said valve after operation thereof,said return spring means being integral with its valve means; and meansintegrally connecting said plurality of valve means together.

11. The invention according to claim 10, wherein said connecting meanscomprises connector bar means integral with and connecting together eachadjacent pair of said valve means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,821,641 9/1931 Johnson 84-3883,063,461 11/1962 Rudolph 137-525 FOREIGN PATENTS 608,249 9/1960 ItalyRICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

GARY M. POLUMBUS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

